Kellie Jay Keen to hold public speaking event in Sydney as protests planned
Rallies by outspoken feminist Kellie Jay Keen have sparked protests and violent clashes throughout the US and the UK, with police on high alert for similar scenes in Sydney this weekend.
NSW
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Public order riot squad teams and mounted horse police are expected be deployed to keep the peace on Saturday in Sydney at the first public speaking event of outspoken UK feminist Kellie-Jay Keen, in response to activists threatening to disrupt her tour.
Ms Keen, a women’s rights campaigner who argues it’s impossible to change sex and wants to keep female-only spaces, will be speaking in public at Victoria Park, in inner-city Camperdown at midday, at a non-ticketed event open to the public.
On Friday morning, the activist said her ability to speak the truth can frighten people.
“My ability to speak directly and speak the truth, I think that’s quite frightening for people,” Ms Keen said on Ben Fordham’s 2GB radio show.
“We’ve lost the ability both in the UK and Australia and elsewhere to just speak plainly, just to speak the truth.”
Public clashes have followed the feminist’s rallies in the UK and US.
“We have these events, they’re called Let Women speak,” she said.
“They’re about enabling women to come out and speak about what’s happening to her in a country like this where the state is gaslighting women into pretending they cannot see the truth in front of their eyes and they can’t name it.”
But there have been calls for her to be shut down, including a failed attempt by Federal Greens MP Stephen Bates to have Keen’s visa revoked.
In Sydney, an anonymous group called Pride in Protest have called for protesters to “disrupt” her talk, to bring “any noise-makers you may have” and to “protect your identity” while protesting.
Ms Keen, who founded UK group Standing for Women, has been attacked as a “transphobe” for opposing puberty blockers, opposing gender self-ID, transgender women in female sports and the opening up of female bathrooms to biological men.
In 2020 the mum of three paid for a poster saying I love J.K. Rowling to be displayed at Scotland’s busiest train station in Edinburgh, which sparked controversy and was taken down for being political.
Ms Keen’s Australian tour “Let Women Speak”, will be held in traditional speaker’s corners and public spaces, involving ordinary women sharing their personal experiences.
Her tours and rallies have made headlines in both the UK and US after public clashes between counter-protesters and supporters.
The National Union of Students Queer/LGBTI also plan to protest on Saturday, arguing Keen wants to remove trans rights and that her events are attended by the “political right”.
“We are protesting Keen’s speaking events for two reasons - firstly, because these events are demanding the removal of trans rights, and we strongly support transgender people,” a student spokesperson said.
“Secondly because these events are supported and attended by the political right. Allowing the right to network and grow under the pretence of supporting women, poses a threat to every progressive cause, and everything unions stand for.”
Ms Keen told The Daily Telegraph that: “Women throughout Australia are feeling isolated and gaslit by government and institutions, who wish to compel them to believe men can be women.”
Lawyer and Save Women’s Sport co-founder Katherine Deves supports the public speaking events.
“Unfortunately women are now forced to re-enervate a feminist movement to stand up against dystopian ideology that undoes all the goodwork of our foremothers.”
NSW Police have warned anyone protesting must do so peacefully and lawfully.
“The NSW Police respects the right of individuals and groups to protest; however, those involved must do so peacefully and in compliance with the law,” a spokesman said.
“We won’t be providing information about specific operation resources as the event is upcoming.”
The Daily Telegraph understands a heavy police presence will be out in force on Saturday, including the public order riot squad and mounted horse police.
Ms Keen will next tour Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and speak outside Parliament House in Canberra.
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